Opening Day can't come soon enough. We took a wider look at the American League on Sunday, so now, it's the National League's turn.
NL East:
Let's refresh your memories on the division from an earlier column, this time with thumbnails:
1. Atlanta. This year's Braves have a better chance of reaching the World Series.
2. Mets. Zack Wheeler's gone (Philadelphia), Noah Syndergaard will miss the season due to Tommy John surgery. Enter Michael Wacha (St. Louis) and Rick Porcello (Boston). Welcome back Yoenis Cespedes, likely to DH most of the season (yes, the NL will have a DH, too). Rookie of The Year Pete Alonso now has some serious backup.
3. Philadelphia. The Phillies added Wheeler and Didi Gregorious (Yankees), but the albatross known as Bryce Harper will keep them from the World Series. So what if the fair weather pundits think Philly will win the division. I don't see it.
4. Washington. The defending champs won't have Ryan Zimmerman, Wellington Castillo, and Joe Ross, all of whom are sitting out the season due to COVID-19 concerns. Anthony Rendon is gone (Angels), which, coupled with Zimmerman being in absentia, takes away a good chunk of the Nats' offense, such that their front three starters (Scherzer, Strasburg, Corbin) won't be enough to save them.
5. Miami. Maybe Derek Jeter should ask A-Roid about joining his ownership group, since it's clear A-Roid ain't getting the Mets.
NL Central:
1. St. Louis. The Cardinals only had Marcel Ozuna as a 1 year rental (now in Atlanta), but their pitching remains intact, though I question Adam Wainwright as anything but a #1 starter.
2. Cincinnati. Don't laugh. The Reds plucked Nick Castellanos (Cubs) and Mike Moustakas (Milwaukee) from division rivals to fortify their youth-based offense. Some alleged experts think they'll win.
3. Milwaukee. Aside from a servicable rotation and Christian Yelich, the Brew Crew's window of opportunity is closing.
4. Chicago. Joe Maddon's gone (Angels), along with Castellanos. The Cubs may yet be the Scrubs again.
5. Pittsburgh. The Pirates wish they could switch divisions.
NL West:
1. Los Angeles. The Dodgers got David Price & Mookie Betts from Boston, but Price is sitting out the season due to concerns over coronavirus. Betts is expected to contribute immediately, since he can't go bowling in his spare time.
2. Arizona. The Diamondbacks picked up Madison Bumgarner (San Francisco) to back up Zack Greinke in the rotation. Unfortunately for both, they won't be able to bat this year.
3. San Diego. The Padres already have good offensive core, but traded Hunter Renfroe to Tampa Bay to bring Tommy Pham back to the NL, which might not work so well. Garrett Richards (Angels) is a #3 starter? Uh, no.
4. Colorado. The Rockies have decided that ex-Met Daniel Murphy will serve them better as a DH this season. Latham NY native Jeff Hoffman (Shaker High) is the #5 starter. The offensive core is still there. Unfortunately, they won't be able to get any higher than this.
5. San Francisco. Bruce Bochy retired, so the Giants brought in Gabe "Welcome Back" Kapler, who flamed out in 2 seasons in Philadelphia. Buster Posey is sitting out, taking away one of the best defensive catchers in the business.
Wild Cards:
AL: Cleveland, Seattle.
NL: Mets, Arizona.
Of course, I could be wrong.
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